Fendi Yu: New York City and Golf - An Unexpected Gateway to Nature

Living in New York City means that opportunities to pursue sports are limited because of spacing. I joined the golf team my junior year after high school after encouragement from a friend and also looking for a way to stay active during the school year. Golf was completely unfamiliar to me, but my time on the team completely shaped my viewpoints on the sport and it made me realize how well the crowded city I live in could adapt to the sport. 

I go to highschool in the Bronx, and it is about 30 minutes away from the New York City most people know. In the Bronx there are no skyscrapers, not many traffic jams, and it is mostly residential. What I did not know was that there were so many golf courses. In fact, our home course was only two stops away on the subway. 

Being on the team brought me to different places around New York City. Some places included Marine Park Golf Course in Brooklyn, which was deep inside the borough and two hours away from my school. Even though I had to leave school 4 hours early for a match there, it was ultimately worth it when I saw the beautiful marshes and wildlife on the course. The team also took me around boroughs such as Queens, where I was surprised to find crowded yet spacious facilities. 

Joining the golf team was not just a way to stay active, it changed my view on how I saw New York City. It opened my eyes to different parts that I would not have otherwise seen, and it also made me fall deeper in love with my city as I saw that opportunities are all around as long as you seek them out. 

By: Fendi Yu